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Trainer Roger Charlton Takes Out Joint-License With Son

The Derby-winning trainer will now train jointly with his son, Harry.

Trainer Roger Charlton

Trainer Roger Charlton

www.tattersalls.com

Derby-winning trainer Roger Charlton has announced Beckhampton Stables will move to a joint-license, with son and assistant Harry appearing on race cards next to his father from this week.

Charlton took charge of Beckhampton from Jeremy Tree in 1990 and made a flying start by winning the Derby with Quest for Fame and the French equivalent with Sanglamore that year.

He has trained nearly 1,500 winners, including 19 group 1 victories provided by other star performers such as Al Kazeem, Decorated Knight, Cityscape, Patavellian, and Avonbridge.

Charlton, who turns 72 on Tuesday, said: "I felt it was time to appreciate the hard work that Harry puts into the operation, having been working in the yard since 2014.

"Within that period there have been great successes, including Thistle Bird, Al Kazeem, Decorated Knight, and Quadrilateral. He is an integral member of the team and at the age of 36 he deserves to be recognized in an industry that values youth."

On the start of a new era at Beckhampton, Harry Charlton said: "It's a great honor to be joining my father on the license at such a prestigious place as Beckhampton, where I have grown up.

"It is a big community with a lot of history. Having been a member of the team for so long, the day-to-day running of the yard will stay much the same but I understand the privilege that comes with the new title.

"The many successes of my predecessors set a standard to strive for and, as always, Dad and I endeavor to do the very best for our owners.

"My father has had a wonderful career as a sole trainer and I know we are both looking forward to training lots of winners as we move forward. Quality over quantity will continue to be the mantra and I can't wait to get going."

The stable's first runner under the new arrangement could appear at Lingfield Racecourse Jan. 22 with Umm Hurair entered for the Coral Winter Oaks Fillies' Handicap at the inaugural Winter Million festival.

Charlton has had six runners since the turn of the year, winning with Small Print at Kempton Jan. 5. With Umm Hurair his only entry this week, the final runner under solely his name could be Becoming, who finished eighth at Southwell on Sunday.

The Charltons' move to a joint-license follows other father-and-son set-ups, including Mark and Charlie Johnston, who made the switch from Jan. 1.

Reflecting on his long and illustrious career, Charlton added: "I came to Beckhampton in 1978 and served as assistant to Jeremy Tree before taking over in 1990 and have enjoyed training at Beckhampton immensely.

"In that period I have witnessed some of the great horses, future stallions, and mares that have changed the world of horseracing. I am incredibly proud of what myself and the team have achieved in the last 30 years.

"I have had a wonderful bunch of owners throughout, many of whom are still supporting me, as well as a tremendous team at Beckhampton, a lot of whom joined when I did."